According to Deputy Walter Pinheiro (PT, Bahia), Israel Bayma has been appointed to head the Workers Party?s media and telecoms group in the transition team. Mr Bayma is a congressional staffer. He will report to Dilma Roussef, responsible for infrastructure affairs. He was chosen by Deps. Pinheiro and Jorge Bittar (PT, Rio de Janeiro). Mr Bayma is a telecoms engineer and has worked for the power utility Eletronorte. His job in Congress covers media and telecoms advice to the PT in the lower house. He has conducted academic studies in the areas of postal services and broadcasting, as well as technical studies for the party including a detailed survey of all available information on holders of broadcasting licenses throughout Brazil. His most important contributions in telecoms were produced in the form of studies to assist Deps. Pinheiro and Bittar. Their choice prevailed over others who lobbied for the appointment of a labor leader in the telecoms industry in response to very strong pressure from the unions. The two congressmen managed to persuade the party leadership that a broader profile than just telecoms was required for the job. Mr Bayma will be responsible for understanding and explaining the functioning of the Communications Ministry and Anatel, finding out everything he can about ongoing projects, and producing a diagnosis of both industries for use by the transition team that is provisioning President-Elect Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, who takes office in January.
100 days
Maurício Abreu, deputy communications minister and the official in charge of the ministry?s work with the transition team, said Wednesday, November 13, that President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Chief of Staff Pedro Parente met October 30 with key members of the team to present a ?Transition Portal? and an executive summary of the Federal Government?s key commitments in the first 100 days. The Communications Ministry has a chapter of its own in this summary and has produced a special report highlighting the main issues for the sector. Maurício Abreu noted, however, that the PT hasn?t yet named those responsible for the transition in communications and no official meetings have been scheduled.
